National Collegiate Hockey Association
# National Collegiate Hockey Association

The National Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) is a defunct national organization of men's college- and university-level ice hockey programs in the United States. The NCHA used to be known as the Collegiate Ice Hockey Association (CIHA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Hockey (NAIH). The association was primarily composed of American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division III teams from the Northeast.

## History

The NAIH was formed in 2011 as an alternative to the ACHA for hockey teams that wanted a lower cost for membership and a high level of competition. However, many teams in the NCHA were also members of the ACHA.

In the spring of 2013, the NAIH changed its name to the CIHA and after the 2013-14 season changed its name to the NCHA.

In July 2014, the NCHA was sanctioned by the United Hockey Union, a branch of Amateur Athletic Union.

## Teams

For the 2015–16 season, the NCHA had four conferences: North Eastern (New York), South Eastern (Pennsylvania/West Virginia), South Western (California) and the Independent Conference. The champion of each conference receives an automatic bid to Nationals.

North Eastern Conference

* East Division

   * Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

   * Hamilton College

   * Le Moyne College

   * Union College
* West Division

   * D'Youville College

   * Medaille College

   * St. John Fisher College

   * SUNY Brockport

   * University at Buffalo

South Eastern Conference

* California University of Pennsylvania
* Community College of Allegheny County
* Penn State Altoona
* University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
* West Virginia University

South Western Conference

* Cal Lutheran
* Chapman
* UC San Diego
* UC Santa Barbara
* Ventura College

Independent Conference

* Denison University
* Otterbein University
* Washington & Jefferson College
* Wittenberg University

## Founders Cup Champions

The 2012–13 season was the first year the NAIH held a national tournament. The national championship trophy was dubbed the Founders Cup.

| Year | National Champion | Runner-up | Result | Host/Location |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 2012–13 | Western Washington | Le Moyne College | 2-1 | Buffalo, New York |
| 2013–14 | Pittsburgh-Greensburg | UC San Diego | 2-0 | Newark, Ohio |
| 2014–15 | St. John Fisher College | Pittsburgh-Greensburg | 8-5 | Newark, Ohio |
| 2015–16 | University at Buffalo | Penn State Altoona | 4-2 | Newark, Ohio |
| 2016–17 | University at Buffalo | Union College | 5-2 | Amherst, New York |
